Singapore Update: The Subway Way

Long gone are the days where the word “Subway” only brought to mind visions of underground trains. Nowadays, more often than not, our thoughts are filled with tantalising images of fresh, tasty and succulent sandwiches, and… clothing? Well, Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) surely thinks so! In this case, the proprietor of Prosperous Enterprise […]

Indonesia Update: Crackdown on Imitation Stationery

Dong-A Pencil Co., Ltd (“Dong-A”) is an established manufacturer of stationery and office supplies based in Seoul, Korea. Established in 1946, Dong-A has been producing writing instruments and the like for over 65 years, so the fact that its products are distributed throughout the world and have gained considerable repute should come as a surprise […]

“Fair” Outcome For PC Exhibition Organizers?

As consumer electronics giants Samsung and Apple engage in a global battle over infringement of each other’s computer tablet and smartphone patent portfolios, two Malaysian organizers of exhibitions for computer ware have engaged in a legal battle over the selection and use of a name for the trade fairs. The Association of the Computer and […]

[Trademart] Who says funds are difficult to come by?

By KASS International For many Malaysian businesses and entrepreneurs, the mention of intellectual property conjures images of legal fees, registration costs, and long administrative processes. What far fewer people appreciate is that IP can also be a key that unlocks funding, and in Malaysia, the range of government-backed grants, incentives, and financing programmes available to […]

VEURO Vs EURO-R: A Lawsuit Against The Trademark Appeal Commission

Do “VEURO” and “EURO-R” look or sound similar to you? Well, the Indonesian Trademark Office believed so, and thus began the case between Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd (“Sumitomo”) and the Trademark Appeal Commission. Sumitomo, a tire manufacturing company from Japan, filed an application for the “VEURO” trademark for goods in class 12. By the time […]

No Other “Regis” But “St.Regis” Allowed for Hotels in Singapore

In this rather interesting opposition proceeding, the Applicant, Staywell Hospitality Group Pty Ltd had applied to protect the trademark “Park Regis” in Classes 35 and 43, claiming, amongst others, business management, business administration, hotel services, hospitality services and etc. The Applicant, who originated from Australia, is the owner of a chain of 3- or 4-star […]